Zigzag Pumpkin Decorating

Glam up a pumpkin with some tape and a can of spray paint.

Tired of carving your pumpkin year after year? We've got a great idea to share! Try using spray paint and painters tape to make fun and interesting patterns on your pumpkin this fall.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

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Here’s what you’ll need:

Pumpkin

Painters tape

Ruler

Scissors

Spray paint

Permanent marker

Old newspapers

Directions:

Step 1.

For chevron stripes, mark off the desired depth of the chevron (ours is 21/2 in.) on 1-in. painter’s tape. Cut several lengths. Mark the widest point around the pumpkin’s circumference with a pencil. Position a length of tape on a 30- to 45-degree angle so that the bottom corner touches the center guideline. Apply lengths of tape around the pumpkin at the same angle with one corner of each piece touching the center mark, and overlapping the pieces at the ends to form a continuous line. Add stripes above and below the center about 1 in. apart to complete design. Tape over stem.

Step 2.

Working quickly in a well- ventilated area, spray-paint pumpkin. Wait a minute or two. Spray on a second coat.

Step 3.

Wait a minute or so and then remove tape strips. Do this while the paint is still tacky to prevent chipping. Let paint dry thoroughly.

Bright idea! Try varying widths of painter’s tape to create simple freestyle designs, such as thick vertical stripes or a crisscross pattern. Or tape off whole sections of the pumpkin and paint in bold colors for a contemporary look.